Is there any reason to take paper copies of passport, credit cards, debit cards if I have scanned them into an email I sent to myself? Wouldn't it be safest to not have a paper copy if my luggage gets stolen?
And is a copy of my passport adequate to keep in my money belt instead of carrying the actual passport around?
Posted by
Gulfport, FL
188 posts
Well, some might say 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another. If you've emailed a copy to yourself, what if your device is lost or stolen? A paper copy might be better in that case. You can leave a paper copy in the hotel safe (or room safe if your room has one). You might want to consider leaving a paper copy with a family member back at home as well. As for keeping a paper copy with you in lieu of the real thing, where are you planning on keeping the real thing? I have always carried mine with me in my money/document belt under my clothes and never felt that it was about to be stolen. The above refers to your passport, of course. As for credit/debit cards, I only carry two with me and leave copies at home. I also have the credit card companies' phone numbers in my iPod in case I have to call, but I never leave the numbers where anybody might accidentally or on purpose see them.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
The reason one might want paper copies is that it may help facilitate more timely replacement if needed. So, as long as you have access to your e-mail and a printer, I don't see a downside to your approach (aside from the inherently unsecure nature of sending sensitive/personally identifiable information via unsecured e-mail). As for carrying your passport, I would recommend carrying the actual passport and not a copy. You wouldn't carry a paper copy of your driver's license here, and your passport is your official ID there. You should keep it with you at all times IMO...I do.
Posted by
OP
Grayslake, il, usa
4 posts
I don't have a "device" to lose. Just a non-smartphone cell phone that I plan to keep turned off. I guess the choice is putting personal info into "unsecure email" for later retrieval or possessing a paper copy that would be gone with my suitcase if it is lost or stolen. I guess I have to decide what the greater concern is...
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
Sending sensitive information via e-mail really isn't the issue in this case. The thing is if you won't have access to your e-mail and a printer, then what's the point in scanning and e-mailing it to yourself in the first place? The goal is to be able to produce a paper copy if you need to. If you can't do that, then there's probably no benefit. Let's assume you're traveling with a partner. Just make two copies of both your partners documents and your own. You each can carry a set of copies in your own money belt. If you lose your passport, you'll have a copy in your belt and so will your partner. If something happens to one of the belts, you'll have all of your copies in the other and vice versa. Now if something happens to both belts, you're out of luck. But this is highly unlikely. As for keeping any of that information in a bag or somewhere else in a hotel room, I wouldn't recommend it. And, yes, you still need to carry your actual passport with you. Happy travels.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Guys, I assume Maureen's trip is to Europe! Even if you are travelling through the "back door", it is Europe, not Africa or some remote aboriginal island! Should something happen and you lose your documents and cards, getting an internet access, even if a computer your B&B's reception let you borrow 10 minutes, should be the least of your worries.